PAINTING ANALYSIS β Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja π
Art by @CyanLos
This grand painting here is loaded with metaphors and symbols showcasing power & beauty of the civilization-defining Aryan Maratha Saint-Emperor Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja which we now explore.
Art by @CyanLos
This grand painting here is loaded with metaphors and symbols showcasing power & beauty of the civilization-defining Aryan Maratha Saint-Emperor Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja which we now explore.
The Saffron Bhagwa Silk Uparna (Shoulder-Cloth) over the Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati's shoulder is a representation of Him upholding the Hindu Sanatana Dharma in His foremost duty as a Kshatriya Savarna Aryan.
BhagwΔvarna colour represents SatyΔgni Flames of Vedic Yajnas.
BhagwΔvarna colour represents SatyΔgni Flames of Vedic Yajnas.
The Animals (Khandya the Dog & Falcon) on the Hindupati Padshah's RIGHT side depict His dominance over the base Organic creatures of the universe (BhuH, BhuvaH) & the Narghile on His LEFT side held by the neck of the pipe shows the Chattrapati's dominion over higher civilization.
A Narghile (Hookah) device is representation of industry, civilization, craft, sedentary recreations.
HΕ«kahs work on concept of redirecting DhΕ«ma (Smoke) through a device. Smoke is an allegory for Ketu, Deity of Spiritual Detachment which shows the paradox of a Saint-Emperor.
HΕ«kahs work on concept of redirecting DhΕ«ma (Smoke) through a device. Smoke is an allegory for Ketu, Deity of Spiritual Detachment which shows the paradox of a Saint-Emperor.
Khandya was the heroic dog (also represent Ketu) of Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj who saved His life during a hunt by pouncing upon a fierce maneater tiger & drove it away with his fiercer elΓ n.
Khandya was awarded with Mansabdari & even a Jagir at Mahuli for this.
Khandya was awarded with Mansabdari & even a Jagir at Mahuli for this.
We can see that between Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja and Khandya the Brave Dog, we have a total of 10 Tiger-Claws, certainly shared between These two Hunters after slaying the maneater Tiger.
The Garden-Throne seat is in fact covered with that SAME Tiger's Skin!
The Garden-Throne seat is in fact covered with that SAME Tiger's Skin!
The Falcon (BΔz) is also an allegory for all the valiant Maratha warriors serving Bhonsale Chattrapatis who have always been renowned as Winged-Men.
Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja, like all Kulin Marathas, was a stellar sportsman and an ace Falconer Himself.
Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja, like all Kulin Marathas, was a stellar sportsman and an ace Falconer Himself.
The 2 Golden Lions of the Maratha Chattrapati's Lion-Throne π
This particular painting DOES NOT show the main Maratha Lion-Throne (Indra Asandi Simhasana) inside Chattrapati's Palace, but His simpler Garden Throne.
It is therefore minimalistic & yet still so grand & beautiful.
This particular painting DOES NOT show the main Maratha Lion-Throne (Indra Asandi Simhasana) inside Chattrapati's Palace, but His simpler Garden Throne.
It is therefore minimalistic & yet still so grand & beautiful.
The Starry Sky here is the Nightsky over Maharashtra as it appears without modern era light pollution, with Milky Way galaxy clearly visible.
It is a key element imbuing the painting with an ethereal, euphoric feel, & is a metaphor for all ancient & recent Hindu kings & Heroes.
It is a key element imbuing the painting with an ethereal, euphoric feel, & is a metaphor for all ancient & recent Hindu kings & Heroes.
These two stars above Chattrapati Shahu Maharaja's Right shoulder are Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaja & Dharamveer Chattrapati Shambhuji Maharaja π
The Lone Saffron Star on His Left is the unsung SakalaHindΕ«RΔjaKΔrya-Dhurandar Praudha-PratΔp-Purandar Chattrapati Rajaram Maharaja.
The Lone Saffron Star on His Left is the unsung SakalaHindΕ«RΔjaKΔrya-Dhurandar Praudha-PratΔp-Purandar Chattrapati Rajaram Maharaja.
The legendary Golden Maratha Chattra of Bhonsale Chattrapatis, is studded with gemstones, virtually representing Navaratnas which are utilized for controlling the Navagrahas of Vedic Astrological Cosmos; Surya, Chandra, Rahu, Ketu, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Buddha & Angarakh.
The two pairs of candles, though not visible in the frame fully, are actually directly taken from contemporary era Maratha Paintings as a reference.
We can thus see the entire painting showcases a representation of the Navagrahas.
We can thus see the entire painting showcases a representation of the Navagrahas.
The choice of Jewellery for Hindupati Padshah was both directly referenced from Paintings (His Earrings), and also metaphorically placed.
His MΔlΔ is of Sphatik Crystals, representing His crystal-clear pious character, while the Tiger-Claw locket shows His heroism & bravery.
His MΔlΔ is of Sphatik Crystals, representing His crystal-clear pious character, while the Tiger-Claw locket shows His heroism & bravery.
We can see the Signet Ring with Mudra used by the Chattrapati for stamping on various Patras (ΔgyΔ, Abhaya, FarmΔns, Watan-JΔgir-InΔm KΔgaz, etc.).
The planet of Expansion (Jupiter) & the planet of Consolidation (Shani) are both showcased as being under Hindupati's control here.
The planet of Expansion (Jupiter) & the planet of Consolidation (Shani) are both showcased as being under Hindupati's control here.
The Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati's Golden Leg-Band π
Though Hindus as a general principle are not allowed to wear Gold on their feet as a mark of respect to Lakshmidevi, SanskΔrit Marathas (Kshatriyas) are entitled to do so on grounds of being embodiments of Vishnu themselves.
Though Hindus as a general principle are not allowed to wear Gold on their feet as a mark of respect to Lakshmidevi, SanskΔrit Marathas (Kshatriyas) are entitled to do so on grounds of being embodiments of Vishnu themselves.
We can thus note,
Dog & Narghile: Ketu
Golden Lions devouring Rubies: Rahu
Rubies in Mouth of Lions: Angarakh
Pukhraj Ring: Brihaspati
Indranila Ring: Shani
RΔjamudra Signet Ring: Budha
Flowers, Scented Candles, Sphatika: Shukra
Simhasana: Surya
White Sandalwood Tilak: Chandra
Dog & Narghile: Ketu
Golden Lions devouring Rubies: Rahu
Rubies in Mouth of Lions: Angarakh
Pukhraj Ring: Brihaspati
Indranila Ring: Shani
RΔjamudra Signet Ring: Budha
Flowers, Scented Candles, Sphatika: Shukra
Simhasana: Surya
White Sandalwood Tilak: Chandra
There are many more intricate Indic allegories implied in this beautiful grand work of art.
Due to fixed reasonable limits of realism, here are the three alternate filtered versions of the same painting which were not posted as the main painting.
Due to fixed reasonable limits of realism, here are the three alternate filtered versions of the same painting which were not posted as the main painting.
The FIRST beautiful painting of Hindupati Padshah Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj by The Mahrattas commissioned after over 250 years of His departure to Vaikuntha.
We thank the soul of the great Saint-Emperor.
A Thread Detailing various parts of his glorious Life will come soon now.
We thank the soul of the great Saint-Emperor.
A Thread Detailing various parts of his glorious Life will come soon now.
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